Returning reimbursed item?

So I just did a shoe shop where they reimburse up to $35. My hubby is a little irritated with me - he thinks I should just return the shoes after I get paid but I said I could use them (he's upset because we could really use the money).
My question is has anyone returned something like that instead of keeping it?

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I have not. There are probably stipulations in the guidelines as to whether it is allowed. If it is allowed and you want to return them, go ahead.

With that said, my spouse has his faults, but if I had 'earned' a pair of shoes through my efforts and he thought he could be irritated with me over it....much less upset....who gets upset over $35? You spent the money but it's coming back to you.

Shoes are so useful and necessary too. Conveniently lose the receipt until AFTER the return window, (after you are paid of course.)

If it's the Intelli one, you can return them according to the email offer I received.

I have when the reimbursement doesn't cover the lowest priced item in the store that I can use. I always let the scheduler know.

In your case, let the scheduler know that you are returning the item. What you tell your husband is up to you!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.

$35 here and $27 there, $40 here and $15 there, this all adds up. If your husband is upset over that, it makes sense to talk with him about how much the shoes cost you out of pocket, and then show him how next week, you could walk into a shoe store and find shoes for more or the same price you got them for, but without any reimbursement. All relationships are different and we are all in different financial situations. Before you even argue about it, check to see if you even could return the shoes or not. Just because you get paid for your shop doesn't mean the "no returns" guidelines are voided. That being said, I've had shops which welcome you to return the item at a later point. I don't but it would help if I did once in a while! Good luck.

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do

@spicy1 wrote:

If it's the Intelli one, you can return them according to the email offer I received.

Yup it's that one.

Yes! You can return them! That is not the case with other shops necessarily though. If the guidelines say returns aren't allow and you return them you're (whomever, not you specifically) risky your mystery shopping career.

@swingline11 wrote:

I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.

Very, very bad. If newbies read this, please do NOT follow swingline's example of DELIBERATELY violating ICA and ethics.

Absolutely unethical. If you cannot afford the purchase, don't accept the shop.

Besides the ethical aspect, if you return a reimbursed item, the amount you receive when you return it becomes taxable income. Failing to report it as such is illegal.

Posting on a public forum of this type of behavior is....foolish, at best.

Returning a non-returnable item to a different location still outs you. The client will know that you returned the item because of the information on the receipt and can drop you from the program. The MSC would have reason to deactivate you. Not worth it.

I was going to say something about what Swingline11 wrote as well, because not only are you jeopardizing your shop, this is completely unethical behavior. Your guidelines will tell you whether or not you can return an item - and if it doesn't then ask!

If you are doing this against guidelines, then the MSC should drop you, and with good cause. You not only jeopardize your relationship with the MSC, you jeopardize the entire program and the reasons we are doing this for.

Not to mention, ChrisCooper is right - everything is electronically tracked anyways by your receipt and the cards that you use.

If you cannot afford the purchase, then don't bother taking the shop.

@aynur wrote:

So I just did a shoe shop where they reimburse up to $35. My hubby is a little irritated with me - he thinks I should just return the shoes after I get paid but I said I could use them (he's upset because we could really use the money).
My question is has anyone returned something like that instead of keeping it?

Your post isn't clear on whether the shoes you purchased are covered by the reimbursement.

If they are, why would he be upset that you got a "free" pair of shoes? Unless he wants you to return the shoes while still reporting the amount for full reimbursement.

Always read the guidelines and follow them. If you are unsure about anything ask your scheduler. I would not risk my professional integrity over a couple of dollars.

@aynur wrote:

@spicy1 wrote:

If it's the Intelli one, you can return them according to the email offer I received.

Yup it's that one.

Wait what? You can return those? That makes the shop actually worth doing.

@eyelove2shop wrote:

@aynur wrote:

So I just did a shoe shop where they reimburse up to $35. My hubby is a little irritated with me - he thinks I should just return the shoes after I get paid but I said I could use them (he's upset because we could really use the money).
My question is has anyone returned something like that instead of keeping it?

Your post isn't clear on whether the shoes you purchased are covered by the reimbursement.

If they are, why would he be upset that you got a "free" pair of shoes? Unless he wants you to return the shoes while still reporting the amount for full reimbursement.

Always read the guidelines and follow them. If you are unsure about anything ask your scheduler. I would not risk my professional integrity over a couple of dollars.

I will check with the scheduler and see what she says.

My issue with these shops is that they only reimburse up to $35 (with no fee) and specifically prohibit purchasing shoes that are on clearance. Unless you buy flip flops you're going to have a hard time finding anything that's under $35. I'm pretty frugal, and I always shop the clearance racks, so I'm not happy paying full price or even the sales price for something. I understand them wanting us to inquire about current styles, but the ultimate purchase should be up to us. Since the guidelines don't specifically prohibit returns I'd be inclined to return any shoe that's over $35.

I seldom take P/R shops because the trip to return is bothersome. When buying something, I make sure I like and can use it, so, no return for me. With all the great sales at Macy's 70/80% off, I do better on my own purchase. I recently bought a cute pair of flats for 17.00, down from 65.00 using their sale and my 25% off coupon.

Live consciously....

y do so many unethical shoppers post in public forum? dumb.

@swingline11 wrote:

I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.

Isn't this double dipping? Not only is the MSC/Client paying you to shop, you returned the merchandise to the store to recoup your pay. A$$hat . A$$hat. You made a reference to thievery also in April. You should be reported.

You are the reason why Clients/MSC go the extra mile for integrity. I hope you get caught by both the MSC and Client. You are a disgrace to mystery shopping and the honest shoppers who work so hard.

Because they are..............unethical shopper.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2017 01:00AM by sojo917.

I had a shop where the mystery shopping company encouraged me to take it back. Unless, advised orherwise, I keep it or donate it.

@swingline11 wrote:

I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.

It makes me sad to read something like this on a shopper forum. I have no problem with returning items, but I take issue with the statement "Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store." So ...... you don't care what the guidelines are, you just want to make the best deal for yourself, and if you have to lie a little, WTH?

If a shop does not allow a return, and that makes the shop not worth it to me, I don't take the shop. But I have enough pride in my work (maybe integrity?) to perform jobs according to the guidelines. If I take a job, I comply with the guidelines.

Reading statements on shopper forums about how shoppers deliberately get around shop requirements is a reason MSCs and clients distrust shoppers.

@sojo917 wrote:

Isn't this double dipping? Not only is the MSC/Client paying you to shop, you returned the merchandise to the store to recoup your pay. A$$hat . A$$hat. You made a reference to thievery also in April. You should be reported.

A$$hat. i love it!

@swingline11 wrote:

I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.

You sound proud. You deliberately did not follow the guidelines. You returned an item at another store because you KNEW you were doing something wrong. To make a few extra bucks for yourself? Anything's okay as long as you don't get caught?

If your child comes home and tells you he cheated on a test but the teacher didn't catch him, what would you say? Your other child comes home from a birthday party and you discover she's stolen one of the birthday gifts, but she didn't get caught, so ....it's okay? Cat's in the Cradle.

One of my msc used to have a delightful high end restaurant chain that had 6 or 7 different style restaurants all in my area. Suddenly they were all gone. I did one a month for 2 years and loved it. I spoke with my scheduler who told me one of their shoppers brought their kids along against the rules. Not only that but they were drawing on the tables. The msc lost the entire account! So you are not only hurting yourself by returning things when clearly not allowed to but you are jeopardizing the entire msc community. Think about it!

This guy never said he got paid for doing the returns....did he? The MSC that he does it to don't they have mechanisms in place that prevents them from paying out if the item is return?

I'm sure some of you have cut some corners too!
LOL

@freejome wrote:

This guy never said he got paid for doing the returns....did he? The MSC that he does it to don't they have mechanisms in place that prevents them from paying out if the item is return?

I'm sure some of you have cut some corners too!
LOL

No one is criticizing the OP., freejome. The OP raised a question and hasn't done anything wrong or cut any corners. The criticism here is for a poster who bragged about unethical behavior on a shop: ""Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store." Cutting corners is a far cry from deliberately disobeying the guidelines of a shop to fatten your wallet.

@freejome wrote:

This guy never said he got paid for doing the returns....did he? The MSC that he does it to don't they have mechanisms in place that prevents them from paying out if the item is return?

I'm sure some of you have cut some corners too!
LOL

welcome to forum. new member backing a$$hat? not a good first impression.

I've been doing mystery shops for a good number of years successfully completing over 1000 shops.....I know we are all not saints.

Being this shopper not only admits to returning to another location, but brags, I have to wonder how many others do this and are smart enough not to tell.....this poster is not only dishonest and unethical, but the elevator doesn't go to the top floor. This is what gives Mystery shopping a bad name. Trust is so important
in this business, it is sad to think how many others don't respect the rules.

Live consciously....

When we set out to purposely game the system it makes the whole system faulty. There really is no justification to break the rules.

@7star wrote:

When we set out to purposely game the system it makes the whole system faulty. There really is no justification to break the rules.

y write this now when u liked swing's op?

swingline11 1m May 20, 2017 02:03AM
I never keep any of things I was required to purchase. Even if the requirements stated not to return items. I just returned it to another store.
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